Page:Plutarch's Lives (Clough, v.4, 1865).djvu/482

 474 CLEOMENES. rycion, Phoebis, and two of those who had been bred up with Cleomenes, whom they call molhaces,* followed with a few soldiers ; and whilst Euryclidas was delivering his message to the ephors, they ran upon them with their drawn swords, and slew them. The first of them, Agy- loeus, on receiving the blow, fell and lay as dead ; but in a little time quietly raising himself, and drawing himself out of the room, he crept, without being discovered, into a little building which was dedicated to Fear, and which always used to be shut, but then by chance was open ; and being got in, he shut the door, and lay close. The other four were killed, and above ten more that came to their assistance ; to those that were quiet they did no harm, stopped none that fled from the city, and spared Agylasus, when he came out of the temple the next day. The Lacedemonians have not only sacred places dedi- cated to Fear, but also to Death, Laughter, and the like Passions. Now they worship Fear, not as they do super- natural powers which they dread, esteeming it hurtful, but thinking their polity is chiefly kept up by fear. And therefore, the ephors, Aristotle is my author, when they entered upon their government, made proclamation to the people, that they should shave their moustaches, and be obedient to the laws, that the laws might not be hard upon them, making, I suppose, this trivial injunction, to accustom their youth to obedience even in the smallest matters. And the ancients, I think, did not imagine bravery to be plain fearlessness, but a cautious fear of blame and disgrace. For those that show most timidity towards the laws, are most bold against their enemies ; were young helots, who were ad- citizenship. There is a statement, mitted, as the associates of some but not a very trustworthy one, particular young Spartan, to the that Lysander, Callicratidas, and Spartan training, were brought up Gylippus all sprang from this class, with him, and were- free, but were
 * The Mothuces or Mothones not admitted to the full rights of